House of Lords Journal

2012-13 (245)

Tuesday 26 March 2013

Minutes of Proceedings

Prayers were read by the Lord Bishop of Coventry.

1 Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho Martha Lane Fox, CBE, having been created Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho, of Soho in the City of Westminster, for life by Letters Patent dated 25 March 2013, was introduced between Lord Chadlington and Baroness King of Bow, made and subscribed the solemn affirmation and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct. (See Appendix 1).

2 Lord Berkeley of Knighton Michael Fitzhardinge Berkeley, Esquire, CBE, having been created Baron Berkeley of Knighton, of Knighton in the County of Powys, for life by Letters Patent dated 26 March 2013, was introduced between Lord Williams of Elvel and Lord Burns, took and subscribed the oath and signed an undertaking to abide by the Code of Conduct. (See Appendix 2).

3 Royal Assent The Lord Speaker (Baroness D’Souza) notified the Queen’s Assent to the following Acts and Measures:

Supply and Appropriation (Anticipation and Adjustments) Act

c 12

Presumption of Death Act

c 13

Mobile Homes Act

c 14

Antarctic Act

c 15

Welfare Benefits Up-rating Act

c 16

Jobseekers (Back to Work Schemes) Act

c 17

Diocese in Europe Measure

No. 1

Clergy Discipline (Amendment) Measure

No. 2

Select Committee Reports

4 Secondary Legislation ScrutinyThe following Report from the Select Committee was made and ordered to be printed:

5 Human RightsThe following Report from the Joint Committee was made and ordered to be printed:

Legislative Scrutiny Update. (9th Report, HL Paper 157)

6 European UnionThe following Report from the Select Committee was made and ordered to be printed:

The Fight Against Fraud on the EU's Finances. (12th Report, HL Paper 158)

Public Business

7 Syria: refugees A question was asked by Lord Selkirk of Douglas and answered by Baroness Northover.

8 Armed forces: autonomous weapons systems A question was asked by Lord Harris of Haringey and answered by Lord Astor of Hever.

9 Scotland: referendum A question was asked by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and answered by Lord Wallace of Tankerness.

10 National Health Service: out of hours service A question was asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark and answered by Earl Howe.

11 Rights of the Sovereign and the Duchy of Cornwall Bill [HL]Lord Berkeley presented a bill to amend the Sovereign Grant Act 2011; amend the succession to the title of the Duke of Cornwall; re-distribute the Duchy of Cornwall estate; and to remove the requirement for a Parliament to obtain Queen or Prince’s consent to consideration of bills passing through Parliament. It was read a first time and ordered to be printed. (HL Bill 93)

12 Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust InquiryEarl Howe repeated a ministerial statement made in the House of Commons.

13 Parliamentary Privilege A message was brought from the Commons that they have ordered that it be an instruction to the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege that it should report no later than 28 June 2013.

14 Growth and Infrastructure Bill Baroness Anelay of St Johns signified the Queen's consent. The bill was read a third time. Amendment 1 was agreed to (see division 1). The bill was passed and returned to the Commons with amendments.

Grand Committee Business

Draft National Curriculum (2-hour debate) Lord Nash moved that the Grand Committee takes note of the Government’s consultation on the draft National Curriculum. After debate, the motion was agreed to.

European Union: financial services (EUC Report)Lord Harrison moved that the Grand Committee takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on MiFID II: Getting it Right for the City and EU Financial Services Industry (2nd Report, HL Paper 28). After debate, the motion was agreed to.